Ahhhhhhhh

That sound right there? That's the sound of a mama getting her life back.

As it does every year, Autumn hit our house hard. As I do every year, I underestimate the nutso-ness.

Of course, this year had some new elements to add to the nutso. Particularly this one:

It's been the all-football-all-the-time channel at our house since September. Three practices a week plus a game on Saturday. Which is already a lot when you have two drivers.

When The Husband travels every other week through the entire season? It's a whole lotta lot.

But The Boy loved it. And it looks like they did real football-ish stuff, too:

(Don't bother trying to figure out which one he is. It's impossible. He begged me to stay and watch one of his practices once, so I dutifully did. There were about ten #88s in a field of about 100 fourth graders all wearing the same uniform plus helmets, so the chances of me figuring out which was him were zero.)

We've been full with other stuff here, too. Most notably, hanging out with our intern from France. She is so super fun and amazing. Hilarious, helpful around the house, and oh-my-word-she-can-cook. She makes desserts. With chocolate. Or apples. Or caramel. Basically as long as I keep my fridge full of butter, cream, and cheese, we're in good shape.

In other news, remember how I promised you a mid-life crisis this year? Well it's totally here.

And how come no one told me how much fun they were?

Seriously, I've spent the last month all "what's the meaning of life" and "why am I here" and "why do I have so many clothes in my closet" and "I need to start composting so I can save the earth for my children." It's as though all the stuff that's important - family, relationships, food, health, love, grace - is rising to the surface and the rest of it is all being forgotten and buried.

The house is a mess, but it's okay because I'm eating French chocolate and learning about a different culture. Work is crazy, but no worries because we're all in it together and helping each other out. Football took over my life, but I'm smiling all the way through it because my kid is happy and healthy and loving it. My daughter's in tears (again), but is it totally amazing to watch her negotiate the craziness of puberty and see glimpses of the young woman she is becoming? Yes, yes it is.

Of course, the downside (for you) about all these golden days I'm having is that I don't feel guilty about not blogging. But I do miss it. So now that football is over and we're all gussied up in our fall best, PMT might just get a bit more attention.

But if not, you'll have to forgive me. Because I've long forgiven myself.

Read more...